As they take to the streets today to celebrate 300 years of uninterrupted British rule over their rocky outcrop (and annoy the Spanish), Gibraltarians will bask in the satisfaction of having seen off the latest in a long line of threats to their special status. The referendum on the principle of joint sovereignty called by their chief minister, Peter Caruana, two years ago comprehensively sabotaged talks in progress between the Spanish and British governments. With more pressing matters now on the minds of both countries, this piece of unfinished colonial business looks set to linger indefinitely.